Candelight vigil will remember children

Clark County — Love doesn’t end with death. Families that have lost children understand that.

To show their continuing love, local families who have lost children for any reason are invited to the 15th annual Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting ceremony. It’s set for 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 426 E. Fourth Plain Blvd.

“Our goal for the local event is to honor and remember the children we have lost, provide support to grieving parents and families, especially during the holidays … and give information about resources that are available in our community,” said local organizer Kathy Deschner.

Gathering time is 6:30 p.m., the program begins at 6:45 p.m., candles will be lit and children’s names read at 7 p.m., and music and more readings are from 7:10 to 8 p.m. A reception will follow.

The Worldwide Candle Lighting is held on the second Sunday of every December, to honor and remember children who have died at any age from any cause. As the candles burn down in one time zone, they are lit in the next, creating a 24-hour wave of light that circles the globe.

If you have questions about the event, or would like to have your child’s name read, email candlelightingvigilvancouver@gmail.com or call Lorna Bradford, 360-213-9587; Kathy Deschner, 360-573-3206; or Barbara Waite, 360-546-3888.

The Compassionate Friends has more than 600 chapters in the United States. The local chapter is TCF of Battle Ground. It meets at 7 p.m. on the last Wednesday of every month at the Battle Ground Community Center, 912 E. Main St. Contact Deborah at 360-910-9669.